Philippe keeps its strength in far Atlantic (AP)

MIAMI – Forecasters say Tropical Storm Philippe is maintaining its strength in the far Atlantic and could become a hurricane, but it's not expected to threaten land.

The storm's center was located Wednesday about 580 miles (930 km) south-southeast of Bermuda and was moving west-northwest at 6 mph (9 kph).

Its maximum sustained winds were 65 mph (100 kph) and Philippe could become a hurricane before moving out to sea. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

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Tropical Storm Ophelia gains some strength: NHC (Reuters)

(Reuters) – Tropical Storm Ophelia has gained a little strength it moves northwards to the open Atlantic, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Located about 180 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, Ophelia was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour (95 km per hour), the early Thursday report said.

Tropical cyclones become named tropical storms when their winds exceed 39 miles per hour and become hurricanes when their winds reach more than 74 mph.

(Reporting by Antonita Devotta; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

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Hurricane Katia roars to Category 4 strength (AP)

MIAMI – Hurricane Katia has roared to a monstrous Category 4 storm as it moves across the Atlantic Ocean.

On Monday night, Katia's maximum sustained winds had increased to 135 mph (215 kph). Some strength fluctuations are expected before the storm slowly weakens.

Hurricane specialist Todd Kimberlain says it's looking less likely that Katia will hit land but that wind from the storm could still affect the U.S. East Coast as it moves north. Forecast maps show it veering to the northeast, away from the U.S. in the coming week.

Katia is centered about 450 miles (725 kilometers) south of Bermuda and is moving northwest near 10 mph (17 kph).

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